Launch an AI mobile app and earn recurring App Store and Google Play subscriptions

The claim

Launch an AI mobile app and earn recurring App Store and Google Play subscriptions.

RevenueCat's 2026 findings on AI app churn were covered by TechCrunch in March 2026.

How we checked

This is an evidence check, not a hands-on test. We reviewed platform rules and policies, published earnings data, regulator warnings and reporting: 4 sources, listed below.

Costs

Start-up cost: Varies
Effort: high

What the evidence shows

AI apps earn more per user than other apps but lose subscribers faster, and most new apps earn very little. RevenueCat's 2025 report, covering over 75,000 apps, found most apps fail to reach $1,000 in monthly revenue within two years. Its 2026 report found AI apps had higher median annual revenue per user ($30.16 vs $21.37) but lower annual retention (21.1% vs 30.7%) than non-AI apps. New subscription app launches have grown to nearly 15,000 a month, and apps launched in 2025 or later account for just 3% of subscription revenue.

Realistic earnings: Based on RevenueCat's data, a typical new app is unlikely to reach $1,000 a month within two years; revenue growth is concentrated among the top-performing apps.

Limitations

Earnings ranges are typical outcomes for a beginner, drawn from the sources; some people do far better or worse. Platform rules change often, so check the latest policy before you start.

VerdictOverhyped

Rarely matches what is promised.